Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Flags on Ensign Peak

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 12, 2023

1. Flags on Ensign Peak Marker

Inscription. Ensign Peak has been a place for much flag-flying. Shortly after the coming of the Mormons in 1847, an American flag was flown from this summit. Early settlers may have also flown their special "flag of the kingdom" here. This "kingdom flag" was never formalized into an exact pattern, but likely had twelve blue and white stripes and one or more blue stars. It was likely flown from Ensign Peak as part of the first Pioneer Day celebration held in 1849.

In 1897, the Salt Lake Herald, a local newspaper, erected the first flagpole on Ensign Peak, and the summit was designated by Utah leaders as an official place to display the American and state flags. Fifty years later, volunteers carried a seven-hundred-pound pole to the top of Ensign Peak where it was erected. This pole was later damaged by vandals and removed to the Council Hall near the State Capitol.

High On The Mountain Top

Ensign Peak inspired pioneer poet, Joel Hills Johnson, to write the verses of the popular hymn "High on the Mountain Top." A fitting tune was written by Ebenezer Beesley. The peak has been the subject of many other poems and stories.

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.

Location. 40° 47.663′ N, 111° 53.438′ W. Marker is in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It is in Capitol Hill. It can be reached from Ensign Vista Drive west of East Greenstroke Drive. The marker is located in the Ensign Peak Nature Park and can be reached via a clearly marked 0.5 mile trail to the peak. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1002 N Ensign Vista Dr, Salt Lake City UT 84103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Salt Lake.

It is also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Summit (here, next to this marker);

Photographed by Jason Voigt, May 12, 2023

2. Flags on Ensign Peak Marker

Marker is on the far left, on top of Ensign Peak.

The View (here, next to this marker); Ensign Peak (here, next to this marker); The Valley (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The View (approx. 0.2 miles away); The American Indians (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Explorers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to Ensign Peak (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salt Lake City.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 918 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.